News / Bristol Arena
‘A campaign to discredit a Bristol city centre arena is unnecessary’
The firm seeking to build an arena at Temple Island has hit out at claims that it would not attract the big acts.
In an interview earlier this week, promoters AEG told Bristol Live that the proposed project in the city centre would not bring in major stars, such as Justin Bieber or Katy Perry, because the capacity is limited to 12,000.
But bosses of Arena Island Limited (AIL) – the company behind plans for an arena near Temple Meads – have refuted these claims, arguing they are not backed up by facts.
is needed now More than ever
AIL, a joint venture between promoter Live Nation and venue operator SMG, first won the contract to operate an arena at Temple Island in 2014. But in November 2017, mayor Marvin Rees threw a spanner in the works for the company when he commissioned a study to explore alternative options.
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Read more: Nail in the coffin for arena at Temple Meads?
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The resulting report weighs up the benefits of an arena in the city centre location versus an alternative site at the Brabazon Hanger on the former Filton airfield, which would bring private investment from owners YTL.
The matter has fiercely divided opinion in the city ever since.
The Brabazon Hangar on the former Filton Airfield has been thrown into the mix as a possible location for the long-awaited arena.
In a statement on behalf of AIL, John Sharkey hit back at comments made by AEG, and outlined why he firmly believes the Temple Island site is the best location for the arena.
“At all times we have been open, honest and transparent when dealing with Bristol City Council and the media,” said Sharkey.
“We feel that a campaign to discredit a city centre arena is unnecessary and will prove counterproductive in the long run, leaving Bristol without an arena for years to come and potentially resulting in an unpopular out-of-town venue that no-one voted for, and which sucks the life out of the city centre.”
Arena Island Ltd first won the contract to operate an arena at Temple Island in 2014
AEG’s vice president of facilities, Brian Kabatznick, argued the capacity at Temple Island – 9,000 less than the Manchester Arena – could prove to be a “fundamental mistake” for the city if the decision is made to press ahead with the project in the city centre.
The promoters, who run more than 100 arenas and venues around the world, told Bristol Live the possibility of operating a Filton-based arena would be an “attractive” one.
But Arena Island bosses have dismissed what they branded a bid to “discredit” the city centre proposals, claiming that venue capacity has never been the overriding factor in attracting big acts – with other elements, including demand, population, date availability and fan base all playing a key part.
They cited examples in which star acts have played smaller capacity venues, including Katy Perry, who played in Liverpool, Glasgow and Newcastle – all of which have arenas with a 13,000 capacity or less.
Sharkey also argues that Bristol won’t consistently be able to fill a 14,000 capacity arena located in Filton, saying that promoters want city centre sites that are easily accessible.
He adds: “What happens next is vitally important for the people of Bristol and the future economic prospects of the city. We hope that other organisations will be open and transparent about any vested interests they may have, so that the people of Bristol and the mayor can make informed and unbiased judgments based on the facts.”
KPMG, auditors of the value for money report found that a mixed-used development could bring more economic benefit to the city than an arena, but scrutiny councillors overwhelmingly voted in favour of the city centre location.
Mayor Marvin Rees is expected to make a decision on the best proposals for the future of Temple Island in September.
Read more: Geoff Barrow: ‘It’s good to see a mayor focused on the people of Bristol for once’
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